The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-12-29
py girl hood days; be- i.sslIse v,tk

Will; their mdtuai hove ;.theif hsppy
courtship and the joys Of their,mar-
RED life, until-and then! ah, then.
she fully realized her loss. Burst
ing into bitter, hopeless tears, that
relieved her weary brain, but did
not soften the regret and pain.
In her passionate sorrow she did
not shear nor see the pretty little
middle-aged lady who had quietly
entered the room, until she feels q
pair of loving arms steal around
her and hears q sympathetic voice
say..tenderly: my dear, know all
about it. just rest your poor tired
head and sob out your grief" and
she smoothed the rough, bro xn
head, until gradually the sobs grew
faint, and more faint, until they
ceased entirely, from mere exhaus-
ton ;aOne could not but feel conf
dence in this motherly little lady
and it was to her Maud had written
that unfortunate letter, seeking her
advice, but which had accidentally
fallen into Willis hands. As Maud
lifted her head, Mrs. Stanton an
swered her anxious inquiry in her
eyes by placing a little hand each
side of Maud's face and kissing
her tenderly, before audibly reply
ing to the mute inquiry, then
"You see, dear Maud, Will came
down to Springfield and told me all
about it, then sent me here, while
he went to New York. He gave me
this letter for YOU"
81 am glad you know about 1t,
dear coz, but l was mistaken in my
feelings, and when Will returns
from New York, l will ask his for.
gi,eness and we will be, oh! SO
happy~ Belle repressed shiver
at the hopeful joy in Maud's voice,
and with suddenly paled face hand
ed Maud letter, saying:
81 will leave you, dear, while you
read the. letter and 60 and renewmy
acquaintance with the famous Bet
ty."
Maud sat looking at her husbands
familiar handwriting, with rap
turous smile as she thought how
she would surprise him when he re-
turned; then reluctantly leaving her
happy reverie she broke the seal
and read:
MY WIYE:-When this is placed in
your dear hands shall be far away for
it is best for as not to meet again until
my time of probation Is over. /
know my strenth would fell me were
to tempt myself by being in your dear
presence again, and touching your
sweet lips again. It is best to part
thus. And now, dear little girl. do not
grive and rsproach yourself for what is
not your fault but our misfortune.
have thought / was not blameless and
ifyou take me back year from now,
shall have no wish ungratified. But
this is useless--ny heart ia too heavy
and sore to write. l told Belle / was
going to New York, bu am not.
know not where shall go. Wherever
l am you may rest in peaceful assur-
ance that am leading an honorable
life, true in my every thought and
deed to you. May God bless my
darling and win back her love to her
husband. WILL.
That was all; but she could not
realize all at once that Will was real
~ gone. Gone without even a fare
well kiss. In stupors he sat there
without thought or feeling, aimless-
ly staring at the sheet of paper in
her hand. So Belle, patient and
loving. found her. Again the arms
stole around her, and the soft voice
tried to administer consolation
without apparent effect. Monoto-
nously Maude followed the routine
of life, paying little head to Bellies
remonstrance or pleading, daily
growing more quiet, more indlffer
ent TO her surroundings, until one
day as she and Belle were sitting
by EasSeptember fire, for the lake
breeze blows cold early in Chicago
in their room, Maud suddenly start
ed up, clasped her hands over her
head and with a low, heart broken,
"Oh! Belle, / cannot live without
my husband" fell in q swoon at
Bellies feet.
Frightened, she hastily sum
moned Betty and after trying many
remedies in vain, Betty FASTENED
for physician. Before his arrival
Maud partially recovered conscious
ness, andIafter the doctors ministra
tions, fell into quiet sleep; while
he anxiously interrogatek Mrs
Stanton, who would only tell hin
that she was pining for her hus-
band who was away on business
The next day Maud was better and
after that seemed to take more in
terest in life, though she could not
quiet that intense longing for hel
husband. She could only quietly
endure until his return and then
at the very thought, she would
blush as daintily as young maid
intent on her first love letter.
So the months passed on until
December with its Xmas accompa-
niments was ushered in. By q tact
understanding, nothing was sale
about making Xmas otherwise thar
any other day. Xmas jolities wer'
too fraught with painful memories
of other happy days for Maud t.
talk about them.
1t was as well; for Xmas ev'
found Maud lying on snow-whit,
YayNfrE ElTTsEs Y